Monday, August 16, 2004
The Icon of our Lord Not-Made-With-Hands
Kellia: Joshua 2:15-22 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:10-15 Gospel: St. Mark9:1-5
Joshua 2:15-24, especially vs. 18: "Behold, when we
come into the land, you shall bind this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down;
and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's
household." In a conspiracy, safety for the principals is a most important factor, and safety
surely was uppermost in the alliance between Rahab and the spies, safety for the well-being of the
woman and her family, as well as the preservation of those reconnoitering Jericho. The men were
not to be captured by the king of Jericho, if possible. In addition to all these concerns, there was
the general security of the army of Israel, soon to cross over the Jordan.
The portion of the Rahab narrative we are considering today is a reminder to all of us who call
ourselves Christians of the necessity for looking out after one another's well-being against all
enemies - both physical or spiritual. The scarlet cord dangling from a window of Rahab's house,
a home adjoined to the city walls of Jericho, was to be a warning to all the soldiers of Joshua's
army to give that home wide berth during the destruction of the city.
Let none assume, because he lives in "healthful seasons" and during "peaceful times" that he is
safe from enemies. This is not really a reminder to be on the watch for the criminal elements that
operate around us and of the dangers they pose, which are real enough. Mostly, the reading
cautions us concerning the truly sinister spiritual agents of the unseen "king who rules over this
world," the ruler of this present "Jericho" which for this life is our temporary place of residence.
God surely expects us to care for one another as Rahab cared for the spies. What knowledge we
have of "the terrain" of this world, we do well to pass on as life-saving truth for those we care
about, whether family members or those with whom we are joined in Christ.
Rahab directed the spies to "go into the hills" (vs. 16), a phrase which could equally well be
translated, "you must go to the mountain country." No doubt she had in mind the rugged
mountains that lie northwest of Jericho, an area of crevices and caves, an ideal spot for hiding
from the king's patrols. One tradition believes this to be the same desert region where the Lord
was tempted. What are the "mountains" of safety toward which we should direct our loved ones
and seek to hide ourselves? Are they not the Church's Holy Mysteries of Confession and
Communion? Is not worship the safe place for retreat while the enemy is on the look out for us,
to capture us and bring us into his death grip? Are not ascesis and the reading of Holy Scriptures
and the Fathers safe hiding places from the probing machinations of powers of darkness?
The spies told Rahab to use a scarlet cord as a marker to guarantee her safety and the safety of her
loved ones. That cord reminds us that tangible signs pointing to spiritual safety are important for
the Faithful when heeded: a cross on the wall, holy icons in a corner with our prayer books and
candles. Let us place a scarlet cord of prayer before God. When we are apart from the Church,
such physical signs in our homes are God's signals for us, telling us clearly Who is our Protector.
Locks on our doors, insurance policies, and security systems have a value, but cannot provide
absolute physical safety, much less spiritual shelter. "I will dwell in Thy tabernacle unto the
ages, I shall be sheltered in the shelter of Thy wings" (Ps. 60:4 LXX).
If anyone who calls himself a Christian fails to put out the scarlet cord or to heed the teachings of
the Church that tell us where true safety is to be found from our sworn enemies, then "his blood
shall be upon his head" (vs. 19).
O God, our help, our only hope and refuge, we flee to Thee for relief and comfort, trusting to
Thine infinite love and compassion to deliver us from all the assaults of the enemy.
